Knuckle Cracking Doesn’t Cause Arthritis

Ever wonder if cracking your knuckles really causes arthritis? The answer is no—cracking your knuckles does

not cause arthritis. The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles comes from gas bubbles in the

synovial fluid of your joints popping. Synovial fluid lubricates your joints, and when you stretch

or bend your fingers, the pressure changes and the gas escapes, making that familiar “pop.”

Studies have followed people who crack their knuckles regularly for decades. They show no increase

in the risk of arthritis compared to people who don’t crack their knuckles. Cracking knuckles

can sometimes cause temporary swelling or reduced grip strength if done excessively,

but it does not damage the joint cartilage or lead to arthritis. So go ahead—your